Red Sox (Crochet) vs Cubs (Horton): 7/20/25, 2:20pm

[vegasbob]

38 minutes ago, Thunder said:

Great win today! Every team goes through offensive funks, so we can't hang our heads too low about the first two games of this series. Will be interesting to see how this translates to Philly, with Wheeler and Sanchez on the mound the next two nights. Got to take things one series at a time at this point. Thankfully we have a little bit of a buffer now between the last WC spot and the first team out. 

Seattle also a loser today, helping the standings .  Not quite time for serious scoreboard watching yet , but W-L's are the only stat that matters for a team that wants a chance, however slight, at a WS ring.

[moonslav59]

We are still just 2 behind the Yanks, who just a few weeks ago, looked like a sure top AL contender.

TBR is -1.5

TEX -3

LAA -4

CLE -4.5

MIN -5

KCR -5.5

[Maxbialystock]

2 hours ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Wheeler and Sanchez. That's not gonna be much fun. Especially considering who will be starting for the Sox.

Too true.  Plus the Sox have a losing record on the road and the Phillies very much a winning record at home.   The Cubs starters pretty much shut the Sox down, the Phillies starters are even better, and the Sox are going with Buehler, Fitts, and Giolito.  

That said, you gotta play the games.  And against all odds I see these 4 hopeful notes:  1) we didn't see it much in Chicago, but right now the Sox have a deep lineup of both righty and lefty bats; 2) the Sox defense is good at SS, 3b, C, LF, CF, and RF--and at 2b when Mayer is there; 3) the Sox pitching overall is better than what we saw in the first two games at Wrigley; 4) these guys are a team that wants to win.

As for the first 9 games after the ASG, when has any other team faced three division leaders in a row and two of them on their home fields?  

 

 

.  

 

[Bellhorn04]

16 hours ago, Nineintime said:

Cora seems to lead the league in creative lineups. Defensive players out of position, hitters wondering where they will fall in the lineup if at all.  While lineups change often it seems Cora just picks names out of a hat.  

Not true at all.  Cora tries to maximize the advantages of L-R matchups and he has a few prototypical platoon hitters to juggle.

[Bellhorn04]

14 hours ago, illinoisredsox said:

They’re being cautious with him. Thats okay.

Admirable work as the designated game thread voice of reason. 🙂

[tawest]

17 hours ago, FredLynn said:

1-0

Game over

Sox 6-1. 

[mvp 78]

Just now, tawest said:

Sox 6-1. 

Eventually, you learn which posters are just constantly miserable. Feel free to ignore them in the gamethreads and you'll enjoy it more. 

[Bellhorn04]

Fred is our Eeyore.

[tawest]

16 hours ago, FredLynn said:

It’s over. The FLOPS won’t take the lead.

Great call................. again.

[tawest]

9 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

Eventually, you learn which posters are just constantly miserable. Feel free to ignore them in the gamethreads and you'll enjoy it more. 

Yeah, I've noticed the regulars that piss and moan more than most. It wouldn't be a fan forum without'em I guess.

[moonslav59]

Fred is super negative in game threads, and our record on come from behind wins is pretty bad, so he hit rate is pretty damn good, but I actually think he has some very good insights mixed in with all the negativity.

He's respectful, too, so that helps.

[FredLynn]

2 hours ago, tawest said:

Yeah, I've noticed the regulars that piss and moan more than most. It wouldn't be a fan forum without'em I guess.

Welcome to the forum! You'll get use to us if you stay, warts and all.

[FredLynn]

Ten more days until the trade deadline. I would assess our needs are: 

1. Decide if we are going to be sellers or buys but not be in between like last year

2. A good #2 SP. That will cost the team dearly as there aren't many around

3. A RH 1B man who is at least decent defensively that can also hit the baseball. Toro is tanking

4. A backup catcher

Its a lot.

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

2 hours ago, FredLynn said:

Ten more days until the trade deadline. I would assess our needs are: 

1. Decide if we are going to be sellers or buys but not be in between like last year

2. A good #2 SP. That will cost the team dearly as there aren't many around

3. A RH 1B man who is at least decent defensively that can also hit the baseball. Toro is tanking

4. A backup catcher

Its a lot.

Captain Obvious agrees, but Captain Reality says it ain't gonna happen. Just be happy if the FO gets the Sox a healthy #3 and maybe an extra BP arm.

[mvp 78]

11 minutes ago, SPLENDIDSPLINTER said:

Captain Obvious agrees, but Captain Reality says it ain't gonna happen. Just be happy if the FO gets the Sox a healthy #3 and maybe an extra BP arm.

What I want:

C

#3 (Keller)

2 RP (one high leverage setup, one medium leverage)

 

What we'll likely acquire:

1b

#5 (Merrill Kelly)

RP (medium leverage)

[SPLENDIDSPLINTER]

2 minutes ago, mvp 78 said:

What I want:

C

#3 (Keller)

2 RP (one high leverage setup, one medium leverage)

 

What we'll likely acquire:

1b

#5 (Merrill Kelly)

RP (medium leverage)

That's realistic.